AP govt nod for women to work in night shifts

Hyderabad: The AP government has removed the bar on women working in night shifts. Within 24 hours after receiving the representation from Kellogg’s company, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the Industries Department to examine the feasibility of allowing the women to work in night shifts between 7 pm and 6 am.

The officials of the Industries Department too moved fast and issued a circular to enable the industries to assign night shifts to women. However, the circular did impose certain conditions to be followed by the companies willing to recruit women employees.

According to the Directorate of Industries circular, the department had issued certain guidelines against the backdrop of the State High Court’s directives in 2001 on the issue. Accordingly, companies can recruit women in night shifts. But, they have to provide certain facilities which are mandatory in nature.